The fertile delta districts of Tamil Nadu are on high alert as the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert, forecasting heavy rainfall that could severely impact the crucial harvest season. With vast swathes of standing crops ready for reaping, the farming community is gripped with anxiety over potential losses.
IMD Issues Orange Alert for Key Districts
The regional meteorological centre has specifically placed Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Mayiladuthurai, Cuddalore, and the union territory of Karaikal under an orange alert for Saturday. This warning signals the likelihood of heavy to very heavy rainfall, posing a direct threat to agricultural operations. The alert comes at a critically vulnerable time for the region's farmers.
Harvest Season Under Threat
The timing of the forecasted downpour could not be worse for the agrarian community. Nearly five lakh hectares of samba and thaladi paddy are currently readying for harvest. The Department of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare has urgently advised farmers to act swiftly to minimize potential damage from the expected deluge.
Officials have emphasized the immediate need for proper drainage systems in fields to ensure the quick removal of excess rainwater. This preventive step is vital to avert multiple risks associated with waterlogging, including:
- Premature germination of paddy grains while still in the field.
- Discoloration and spoilage of maize and sorghum cobs.
- General spoilage of harvested produce left in the open.
Lessons from Recent Cyclonic Damage
The advisory is informed by the recent devastating experience of Cyclone Ditwah in November. That intense weather event flooded more than 82,000 hectares of young paddy crops across several districts, including Trichy, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, and Cuddalore. The affected area had a total cultivation of 4.5 lakh hectares at the time.
This past damage underscores the severe vulnerability of the delta's agriculture to unseasonal and intense rainfall. Farmers, still recovering from the previous losses, are now being urged to take all possible precautions to protect their current investment and livelihood. The collective effort focuses on safeguarding the region's food security and economic stability.
